Jewish women’s philanthropy is alive and thriving in Nashville. That’s according to Susan Morrow Zimmerman, newly appointed to the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Women’s Philanthropy board. The appointment marks the first time someone from Nashville is serving in this capacity. “National women’s philanthropy is always something I’ve been intrigued by,” says Morrow Zimmerman. She says involvement at the national level will support her efforts to help enrich the local program. “What I’ll learn from National Women’s Philanthropy offers me so much.”
Morrow Zimmerman is no stranger to involvement in Federation. She first joined the campus campaign at the age of 19 during her college years in Pittsburgh. After moving to Chicago in 1997, she quickly became involved in the local board and was invited to join the National Young Leadership Cabinet in 2000. It was there that she made lifelong connections with women leaders around the country. She says in today’s world, women’s philanthropy is more relevant than ever. “There’s always something unique about women bonding with women, having that relationship, and finding your core strength and what you’re passionate about.”
Women in Nashville have long been involved in Federation, and Zimmerman says she is excited to address the challenges of engaging them across the generations. “I’m learning in this community that there are women who are retired, who have left the workforce. How do we find something to keep them engaged and to want to be involved?”
Erin Coleman is the current chair of Women’s Philanthropy in Nashville and a member of the National Young Leaders cabinet. She says the significance of Morrow Zimmerman’s national involvement cannot be overstated. “In my experience in national committee’s we are a much smaller representation. Susan’s involvement helps put Nashville back on the map when it comes to women’s philanthropy; it showcases us as a city and as a Federation.”
Coleman says she is excited to chair the current Women’s Philanthropy committee and lead efforts to raise it to new levels. She references Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who famously encouraged women to have a seat at the table where decisions are made. “For so long women couldn’t make their own financial decisions. Being empowered both financially and in leadership is extraordinary.”
The notion of stepping into and modeling leadership for a new generation also resonates with Jennifer Richardson who is on the local Women’s Philanthropy committee. “Actions speak louder than words. I don’t want to tell my daughter that it’s important to give back. I want to show her how to get involved.”
Richardson moved to Nashville from Southern California just last year and says Morrow Zimmerman is quickly becoming her mentor and role model. “She is a powerhouse. She is my leader. She knows what she wants and she knows how to do it. We’re going to be a great team.”
According to Richardson the team has plans to continue growing local involvement in Federation and women’s philanthropy. The first step is a series of dinners. “I really want to get more women involved in wanting to give back and make it exciting where we can learn from each other, inspire each other, lift each other up while also adding to our community and our Jewish heritage.”
Coleman adds that another key element of the women’s philanthropy program is providing opportunities to take action. “One of the core principles I want to integrate is to increase your partnership and mentorship with Federation. That means at every single women’s philanthropy program we are going to engage in some sort of community service.” She says the group will also engage in women mentorship. “It’s important to be able to see yourself in the women who came before you, to be able to visualize that you can do it too.”
Morrow Zimmerman is pleased with the current local leadership team and looks forward to developing a more robust array of engagement opportunities. “We’re working to figure out what our community wants and needs and what will appeal to women here.”
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